Long story short, they lost the TV contest for financial backing to a restaurant from food mecca Minneapolis.

But they got some valuable advice from two top notch restaurant pros.

The brothers told the backers they wanted to open the edgy wine and small bites bar in a residential area about 10 minutes outside of Cape May.

Neither investors Joe Bastianich or Elizabeth Blau liked that idea. Blau thought the restaurant was better suited for a tourist area, where diners might be more willing to try something different.

So, Shamone debuts in May on the Washington Street Mall, in the spot formerly occupied by Pano. Pano, another Karapanagiotis enterprise, moves to a former gallery space on Washington Street.
Ironically, that’s where Shamone tried out its tapas format for two weeks last year.

On Restaurant Startup, both Bastianch, a partner with celebrity chef Mario Batali, and Blau loved the Shamone food samples: asparagus wrapped in phyllo dough, macaroni and cheese jalapeno poppers, tuna seviche with guacamole. The name Shamone – not so much.

The name – inspired by a Michael Jackson song – stays. Local foodies and tourists can try out the 15 mini courses (the menu changes daily) for $30 starting Memorial Day weekend. There will be just one seating nightly, at 7PM.

Until the restaurant is up and running, you can make reservations through George’s Place 609-884-6088.